Home & Garden

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Fulton County Cooperative Extension is a helpful source of information for residents wanting to improve their curb appeal during the fall. With their colorful faces and cold-weather tolerance, pansies are an easy landscape addition if they are installed correctly. Experts from the University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension provide tips to help the “do-it-yourself” gardener.

“Our relationship with the UGA is a true benefit for our residents,” said Menia Chester, Director of Fulton County Cooperative Extension. “Because of this relationship, we are able to provide research based proven methods to help residents with gardening as well as many other topics that assist in helping to live improved, healthier lives.”

A few pansy-planting pointers:

Don’t plant more than you can maintain. Annual flowers are high maintenance and require a lot of care to keep them looking their best.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the first thing in a home that can alert families to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Whether you're awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air for fire and smoke,” says Fire Chief Larry Few of the Fulton County Fire Rescue Department. “As firefighters, we continually remind residents to check their smoke alarms to ensure they are working properly.”

The NFPA offers the following tips to help residents safeguard their homes from home fires:

Spring is the optimum time for planting a variety of shrubs, trees, annuals, perennials and seeds but, before tilling the earth, it is important to consider your specific plant needs and your area's climate. Fulton County Cooperative Extension Agents are available to provide guidance to assist residents with growing successful gardens and beautifying their yards.

The University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UGA CAES) provide helpful tips on line to help you get started.

“Spring is one of our favorite seasons simply because we get to help budding gardeners achieve their dreams of producing a successful garden,” states Menia, Director of Fulton County Cooperative Extension. “Whether it’s a flower garden or vegetable garden, our extension agents are able to provide expert guidance to county residents.”

Participants will gain valuable information to help them start and maintain a successful home-based business. Specific topics will include how to identify fraud and scams billed as business opportunities, space and time needs, identifying factors that contribute to success and much more.

Fulton County Cooperative Extension hosts monthly classes on a variety of topics such as nutrition, financial management, diabetes and gardening. Classes are held in locations throughout the county. Call 404-332-2400 for more information.

Get ready to play in the dirt again! Fulton County Cooperative Extension will hold a “Fall Planting: Trees & Shrubs” class on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at 6 p.m. Residents are invited to to learn the fundamentals planting and caring for trees and shrubs, as well as proper use of fertilizer.

This free class is offered to all Fulton County residents wanting to beautify their yards and neighborhoods. Interested residents can also learn the best time to install trees and shrubs, proper planting techniques, the best time to prune and about disease and insect pest control.

The will take place at Fulton Camp Truitt, 4300 Herschel Road in College, Park, GA 30337. Contact Grantly Ricketts at 404-762-4077 or email him at grickett@uga.edu to register. Class size is limited so please call to reserve your space.

ATLANTA -- Mad for marigolds? Crazy for camellias? The Fulton County Cooperative Extension Service invites residents with a love for gardening and community service to attend upcoming Master Gardener Program information sessions.

Master Gardener volunteers benefit from training, networking with other garden enthusiasts and having the opportunity to serve their communities.

The intensive Master Gardener training program is provided by Fulton County Extension Agents utilizing University of Georgia research-based information about gardening and related subjects.